Posts tagged James Carpenter

Seahawks beat Chargers 41-14

The Seattle Seahawks’ 1st unit could do no wrong as they jumped out to a 24-0 lead before handing over the reigns to the backups. Russell Wilson was in the zone and there was nothing the San Diego Chargers’ defense could do about it.

During the Seahawks opening 4 drives Wilson was 11/13 for 121 yards through the air and

Russell Wilson congratulates Robert Turbin after a touchdown. Photo by Seahawks.com

added another 31 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Russell did a good job of spreading the ball around but his favorite target was Percy Harvin, who caught 4 passes for 31 yards.

Wilson wasn’t the only Seahawks’ offensive player to have a big day. 3rd year running back Robert Turbin had 81 yards, 3 more than the Chargers running backs combined, and a touchdown. Most of those yards came on one run. Zach Miller blocked a defensive back and sprung Turbin outside. Robert used a Marshawn Lynch esque stiff arm to pick up about another 10 yards at the end of the run. Unfortunately he averaged just 3.1 yards per carry the rest of the game.

Marshawn Lynch did see some game action, the first two offense plays, where he did some minor pass blocking/decoy work.

Terrelle Pryor runs in a 44 yards touchdown. Photo from Seahawks.com

Terrelle Pryor was unable to do anything special with his arm but he looked like Colin Kaepernick with the ball in his hands. Especially when he went running up the left sideline on the way to his was to a 44 yard touchdown. His long strides eat up a lot of ground quickly in the open field.

James Carpenter saw his first live action this preseason and it started roughly. On the opening drive he had miss communication with center Lemuel Jeanpierre and they let a free rusher through the line resulting in the only sack of Russell Wilson during the game. As a matter of fact, it was the only sack the Seahawks offensive line gave up all night. After that, he was solid.

Fellow offensive lineman Justin Britt looked a lot better than he did last week. He managed to clean up some of the mistakes he made during the first preseason game. Justin did very well in his run blocking assignments but struggled a little bit in pass protection. Chargers’ Melvin Ingram was able to force some pressure, on the quarterback, by using a combination of his speed and a bull rush which gave Britt fits.

Rookie linebacker Brock Coyle looked very good for his second preseason game. There is no hope that Brock will beat out starting middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, but I’d say he has done enough to lock down the backup role heading into the regular season. The young man is always around the ball whether it is a run or a pass. That will take him far during his career.

The Seahawks defense made it tough for Chargers’ quarterbacks all night. They ended up with 5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits and pressured them just about every time they dropped back to pass.

After the first unit defense left the game the secondary and linebackers struggled in coverage. Rookie Kevin Pierre-Louis looked a bit lost at times. A big factor is probably that he has missed a lot of time nursing an injury. These next couple week will be crucial for him to catch up.

Tharold Simon had a 105 yard interception returned for a touchdown called back after a

Tharold Simon returns an interception for a touchdown. Play would be called back by penalty. Photo from Seahawks.com

questionable illegal contact penalty by him. This came after dropping an interception shortly before. The Chargers turned that into 7 points of their own.

On special teams Bryan Walters stood out returning punts as he looked considerably better than Earl Thomas. The Seahawks need to find a replacement for Golden Tate who joined the Lions during the offseason. Punter Jon Ryan was a little disappointed that he never had a chance to do more than just hold for kicks.

At the end of the day the score doesn’t matter, it’s the experience that does. The young players got to feel the atmosphere in CenturyLink Field and the joy of winning. As for the Chargers, at least they did better than the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Five things to watch

Before the season started, I would have been more than happy with a 2-2 record. Of course, I would have assumed the Seattle Seahawks beat the Cardinals and the Rams. Instead, Seattle lost those both of those games, but they did defeat the Cowboys and the Packers, at home.

No matter how you slice it, the Seahawks have a record of .500, and last place in the NFC West.

Who would have thought the division, who had a 7-9 Seahawks team win it two years before, would become the best division in football.

Quarterback

So much has been made of the performance ofRussell Wilsonthis week. Yes, he is the starting quarterback, there is a certain amount of pressure that comes with the position.

Personally, I think the 12th man has been a little hard on the young man. I am not going to waste everyone’s time by stating the reasons why I believe that in this piece, but if you haven’t seen my opinion, or would like a refresher, click the link to the “Player Spotlight” piece I wrote on Wilson this week.

With all that said, or not said, I do want to see some improvement from him during the next four games.

Pete Carroll is a very tough man to get a good read on.

Far too often, Russell Wilson is missing wide open receivers. As most of you probably know, I was a proponent of letting him sit on the bench, behind Matt Flynn, for a year so that he could learn the pro game.

If he doesn’t start making more correct reads, I think that is exactly where he will end up.

Pete Carroll is a very tough man to get a good read on. On a personal level, I like the guy, but I would never play poker with him.

Honestly, I think Pete is putting himself in position to switch quarterbacks at any time.

It will be interesting to see if Wilson will be able to move the offense well enough to remain the teams starter, or if Pete will decide that it is time to try to “Win with Flynn”.

This may have been the last game James Carpenter spends watching from the sidelines. He could replace Paul McQuistan this week t left guard. Photo by Brett Bivens

These guys stole the show during Monday Night Football. One thing everyone can agree on, we need the regular officials back soon. Photo by Brett Bivens

Charly Martin fully extends to make this reception. Photo by Brett Bivens

Marshawn Lynch had 98-yards rushing on Monday. Lynch also had this 1-yard reception. Photo by Brett Bivens

Bruce Irvin may have had three sacks Monday, instead of two. If Bryan Bulaga had not been holding him on this play. The Packers may be crying foul now, but I didn’t see any of them gripe about all the holding their offensive line got away with, especially during the second half. Photo by Brett Bivens

Seattle Seahawks receiver Golden Tate scored two touchdowns Monday. There was no doubt about this one. Photo by Brett Bivens

Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons had 4 sacks in the first half of Monday Night’s game. This is the first one. Photo by Brett Bivens

Chris Clemons’ second sack of the first half. Photo by Brett Bivens

Chris Clemons’ third sack of the first half. Photo by Brett Bivens

Chris Clemons’ fourth sack of the first half. Photo by Brett Bivens

The Seahawks defense played an outstanding game. In this picture Richard Sherman is about to hit Packers’ receiver James Jones as the ball arrives. Photo by Brett Bivens

At least the refs got this call right, after a replay. Greg Jennings’ toe is clearly out of bounds long before he attempts to reach the ball across the goal line. Photo by Brett Bivens

Seahawks Player Grades

Offensive Line

1) Russell Okung, Robert Gallery and Max Unger (B-)

Robert Gallery blocks two Bengals on a Marshawn Lynch run.

Last week: Russell B, Robert F+ and Max C-

THE GOOD:

Okung had some solid blocks in the running game including getting to the second level. He also did a solid job protecting Jackson’s blind side all day. Gallery did a nice job sealing running lanes. On one running play he pushed the defender 8 yards down the field and on one of Marshawn Lynch’s big runs he had a nice block at the second level. He bought Tarvaris Jackson extra time with a nice cut block to stop the backside pursuit as Jackson scrambled on one play. Unger made some outstanding blocks in the running games including a key block that sprung Lynch on a big run. He also showed his athleticism on a play where Gallery fell down and he dove over him to block Demarcus Ware and avoid the sack.

THE BAD:

Russell fell down on a run block and missed two blocks in the running game that led to tackles for a loss. Robert had trouble staying on his feet. He was knocked down from a bull rush by Ware on a pass block and he was also knocked down twice while run blocking including one time when he pulled the defender down with him and was called for the hold. Speaking of penalties, he was also called for a false start that killed a drive. Gallery was unable to get out to a pass block on one of Jackson interceptions and it led to a quarterback hit. Max was inconsistent run blocking and at times was pushed around. He also missed a pass block that led to a quarterback hit.

4) James Carpenter (C)

Last week D

5) John Moffitt (D)

Last week he got the worst possible grade F-

THE GOOD:

John manhandled a defender and pushed him out of a running lane and had a nice backside cut block.

THE BAD:

He struggled blocking in both the running and passing game. He was called for a holding penalty, got the quarterback hit on an interception and he gave up a sack.

6) Clint Gresham D+

Usually I don’t have a grade for the long snapper but because he made no effort to block on the field goal where the guy jumped over him I figured he deserved to be called out.

Seahawks Player Grades

Offensive Line

1) Russell Okung (B)

THE GOOD:

Russell was able to get good push in the running game and had a couple nice run blocks. He had a solid game in pass protection.

THE BAD:

Okung missed a cut block on a screen pass and had a false start.

2) Max Unger (C-)

Last week he was inactive due to injury.

THE GOOD:

He had a great block at the point of attack on Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown. Max did a solid job in pass protection.

THE BAD:

He struggled a little in the running game. He had a missed block at the 2nd level, got no push at the point of attack a couple times and was unable to hold his block at times.

3) James Carpenter (D)

Last week C+

THE GOOD:

James had a pretty decent game while run blocking. He had a pancake block, a nice block at the 2nd level and a nice cut block.

THE BAD:

He struggled in pass protection allowing a sack on a missed cut block, three quarterback pressures and a quarterback hit. He also had a false start penalty.

4) Robert Gallery (F+)

Last week C+

THE GOOD:

He did a nice job selling play action and had a great cut block that led to Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown.

THE BAD:

Gallery missed a few blocks in the running game including a couple key blocks. The first was on the last play of the first half when he ran rights past a free defender to go double up another defender who was being blocked well and already in the end zone. The defender he ran past was free to tackle Lynch short of the goal line. The second was on 3rd and 1 in the fourth quarter when he missed his block and it led to a tackle for a loss. He didn’t see a pass rusher on one play which led to the quarterback being sacked and got beat a couple times that led to the quarterback being hit.

5) John Moffitt (F-)

Last week C

THE GOOD:

He is a rookie and there is pretty much no where to go but up after a performance like the one he had sunday.

THE BAD:

John gave up a sack, allowed three quarterback pressures and a quarterback hit. He wasn’t much better in the running game missing a cut block, not being able to seal the running game and at one point being thrown to the ground by the defender. Oh, and he had a false start to top off his day.

Offensive Line

1) Russell Okung (B-)

THE GOOD:

He played his best game since being injured in the preseason so hopefully it is a sign that his ankle is feeling better. Russell had a few nice blocks both in the running game and in pass protection.

THE BAD:

Okung lost his block on one running play and he had trouble picking up a stunt.

2) Robert Gallery and James Carpenter (C+)

Last week: Robert did not play and James had an F

THE GOOD:

Gallery was solid when he was asked to move around. If he was pulling or being asked to block at the second level he was spot on. At the beginning of the game Carpenter was getting of the snap extremely quickly. He blocked well in the running game including a play where he was blocking two defenders at the same time. He wasn’t able to hold the block long but for a bit he had one blocked with each hand.

THE BAD:

Unfortunately when Robert was asked to line up and block the guy in front of him he struggled a lot of the time. As stated above James was getting off the snap well but then he started jumping before the snap and got called for two false starts on the same drive. He missed a cut block but reached out and grabbed the foot of the defender and tackled him. That play was not called but it easily could have been. James gave up a sack when he was beat by a double move on the inside.

4) John Moffitt (C)

Last week B-

5) Lemuel Jeanpierre (F)

Last week (playing in place of Robert Gallery) C+

THE GOOD:

Jeanpierre had a pancake block on a run at the goal line, too bad no one else blocked on that play.

THE BAD:

Four snaps were too high and he is lucky that Charlie Whitehurst was able to keep them from being disasters. He had trouble sealing runnings games and blocking in the running game when asked to block 1:1 at times.

Seahawks Offensive Line Player Grades

1) Paul McQuinstan (B+)

THE GOOD:

He was solid in the running game except for one play. Paul showed strength pushing a defender down the line and opening a big running lane. He got good push at the goal line on Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown. He had a pancake and was able to seal running lanes. He showed athleticism by getting to the second level to block in the running game. McQuinstan did a good job in pass pro as well including working with Okung while defenders were stunting.

THE BAD:

He got called for holding, missed a cut block and was unable to hold one run block that caused a takle for no gain.

2) Russell Okung and John Moffitt (B-)

Last week: Russell C- and John led the unit with an A-

THE GOOD:

Russell did a nice job early in the game clearing a passing lane on a short pass. He had some plays where he really held strong in pass pro and did a good job working with McQuinstan against stunting defenders. For the most part Okung was strong while blocking in the running game. On Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown run from the 1-yard line he got good push driving the defender into the end zone. He had a pancake and did a nice job sealing some running lanes. He showed toughness trying to play through cramping but eventually had to be pulled from the game. John did a good job working with James Carpenter as a unit. On the quarterback sneak he was able to get good push that gave Tarvaris plenty of room to get over the first down line. He showed the extreme power he posses when he pushed his defender into the line and collapse the whole line. Later in the game he had a nice cut block.

THE BAD:

Okung reached for Osi Umenyiora instead of keeping his feet under him. On that play Osi easily beat Russell and stripped the ball away from Lynch from behind. He was beat for two sacks and got the quarterback hit a couple more times. On one play John was working with Carpenter and they could not move the defender out of the running lane and on one play he got pushed into the backfield while run blocking. Moffitt gave up a sack and got beat to the inside by on a passing play. After that play he came off the field and went back into the locker room to get IV fluids.

4) Lemuel Jeanpierre (C+)

Last week he did not receive a grade

THE GOOD:

He showed awareness on a passing play when James Carpenter was getting beat on the outside. He ran around Carpenter and laid out the pass rusher knocking him to the ground. Lemuel showed some power when he pushed a defender 5-yards down the field during a running play. He had a nice block on the Safety Kick return that helped spring Leon Washington to a decent return.

THE BAD:

On a passing play he got bull rushed and pushed back into the quarterback and on a running play he was not able to seal a running lane against a linebacker.

5) Max Unger (D)

Last week B

He had a vey inconsistent game.

THE GOOD:

At times he did a very good job getting to the second level to block in the running game. He was able to seal running lanes and open holes. At times he was solid in the passing game including a play where he had a nice cut block on a wide receiver screen.

THE BAD:

As a center his first job is to snap the ball and get it to his quarterback. Three times while in the shotgun he had snaps that were off target. A couple times he couldn’t get blocks at the second level, one of which he couldn’t get off his initial block (I would assume there was a hold but you couldn’t see it from the camera angle). He missed a cut block on a quarterback scramble that led to Jackson getting tackled. Max had some trouble keeping the running lanes open long enough for the running back to get through them and he had a false start.

James Carpenter struggles to block Darnell Dockett of the Cardinals. Photo by Brett Bivens

6) James Carpenter (F)

Last week B+

THE GOOD:

He worked well with John Moffitt. He was able to seal the edge on Marshawn’s 47-yard run and had good push on a 3rd and 1. At times he held up in the passing game.

THE BAD:

At times James had trouble sealing the running lane. He missed a couple of cut blocks, one of which led to pressure on the quarterback. He was beat inside and outside in pass pro giving up 2 sacks, getting the quarterback hit once and pressured three more times. He picked up a false start penalty.

Seahawks Offensive Line Grades

They gave up 0 sacks for the game for the first time and they continue to do a nice job selling the play action. They all got dropped a grade for only having 53 rushing yards.

1) John Moffitt (A-)

John Moffitt Blocks downfield on a screen pass against the Falcons 10/2/2011. Photo by Brett Bivens

Last week B-

THE GOOD:

John was solid in pass protection even when he was matched up one on one. He a pancake block while pass blocking. Moffitt is doing a great job while pass blocking in the zone scheme keeping his hand on the inside pass rusher while watching the right tackle and he has great anticipation for when the defensive end of linebacker is going to cut inside. John showed how athletic he is getting outside making a huge block on the screen pass to Marshawn Lynch and pulling to make a big block that helped spring Lynch on his touchdown run.

THE BAD:

Miffitt was beat on one play by and inside move and the quarterback got hit.

2) James Carpenter (B+)

Last week A

THE GOOD:

James was getting off the ball extremely quickly. On more that on occasion I went frame by frame to see it he was moving before the snap and every time he started moving as the ball was being snapped. Most of the time he did well in pass pro spending a lot of the game matched up 1:1. He showed toughness getting a pancake on a pass block and on a screen play where he completely collapsed the entire defensive line.

THE BAD:

He is still learning the position and was beat a few time and got his quarterback hit twice.

3) Max Unger (B)

Last week B-

THE GOOD:

I love the way he was playing nasty by jumping onto piles and hitting people as the play ended. He showed his toughness on a screen pass when he stayed on his block driving a guys about 15 yards taking him out of the play and by opening up a big running lane. Max continues to do a nice job selling the play action and he was solid in pass pro including the last touchdown when Tarvaris Jackson had all day to throw.

THE BAD:

He had a lapse in awareness that led to a quarterback hit and had a little trouble sustaining blocks at the 2nd level.

Russell Okung and Paul McQuinstan take John Abraham out of the play 10/2/2011. Photo by Brett Bivens

4) Russell Okung (C+)

Last week D

THE GOOD:

Russell worked very well with Paul McQuinstan against the stunt. He showed his toughness pushing his guy way down the field on a screen play.

THE BAD:

I think that Okung is still struggling with his ankle injury. He seems to get beat by speed and quick moves which is something he was solid with last season. My hope is that after getting some rest on the bye week he will heal up a little bit and be closer to full strength.

5) Paul McQuinstan (C)

Last week C

Anytime you have a backup who can step in and be a consistently average NFL player you are ahead of the curve.

Seahawks OL Grades

1) James Carpenter (A)

James Carpenter in pass pro against the Cardinals 9/25/11 Photo by Brett Bivens

Last week B-

THE GOOD:

His pass blocking was definitely better than it has been. He had a couple nice cut blocks in the passing game including one to clear a passing lane for a WR screen . Four times he held his pass block for 4 seconds or more including getting a pancake on one of them. James was able to notice and pick up the blitz which is something he has been struggling with. In the running game he showed how strong he is pushing Darnell Dockett out of one play and pancaking him another. At one point he had a nice cut block to open a running lane and earlier in the game he showed an ability to get to the second level and set the edge.

THE BAD:

He still has plays where he is missing assignments but these are mistakes you expect from a rookie and his awareness is improving. A couple of these led to the quarterback being pressured. Carpenter also missed on a couple cut block attempts.

2) Max Unger and John Moffitt (B-)

Last week; Max C and John D+

THE GOOD:

Max was showing his strength on a couple plays where he pushed the defender out of the play. He showed agility getting to the second level and blocking. Unger did a nice job selling the play action and had an excellent cut block that saved a sack. Max and John worked with Paul McQuinstan sliding protection to pick up the blitz. Moffitt had three pancakes including one on Darnell Dockett. He was able to pass block one on one for 4+ seconds during a play. In the running game he showed his power clearing the defensive end out of the running lane. Later in the game he cleared a lane for the wide receiver to run through on a screen pass.

THE BAD:

Unger got his quarterback hit, had a false start, a bad snap that could have cost the team the game and had trouble sealing a running lane. Moffitt had some trouble in pass pro getting his quarterback hit once and sacked another. On the sack he was reaching out for the block instead of shuffling his feet to stay between QB and pass rusher. He missed a couple run blocks including a cut block at the point of attack. John made a mental mistake and blocked the wrong defender at one point.

4) Paul McQuinstan (C)

He is replacing Robert Gallery until he can come back from injury and was not graded last week.

5) Lemuel Jeanpierre (C-)

Last week C-

THE GOOD:

Lemuel only played on special teams and as a unit they were unimpressive.

THE BAD:

On a kick return he was about to block a member of the coverage team but instead of lowering his shoulders and hitting the guy he stood up and let the Cardinal’s player blow him up. He needs to be more aggressive then that if he wants to stay on this team for any length of time.

Seahawks final offensive play against Cardinal 9/25/11 Photo by Brett Bivens

6) Russell Okung (D)

Last week C-

THE GOOD:

On three plays he did an outstanding job in pass protection. He did a good job selling the play action and was playing a bit nasty pushing people around after the play.

THE BAD:

Russell was pushed down the line which closed off the running lane. On one running play he blocked a player who was already being blocked instead of blocking the guy who was unblocked. He missed a block or got beat multiple times including giving up a sack. He was part of a line that couldn’t pick up a first down in crunch time to close out the game. Notice in the picture Okung was beat on the final play as well.

Seahawks Offensive Lineman

1) James Carpenter (B-)

Last Week F-

THE GOOD:

James is really getting the hang of cut blocking and had a couple nice ones in the running game. One was a backside cut block and the other was at the point of attack and both took the intended target out of the play. He also showed some toughness in pass blocking by taking a defender and knocking him flat on his back.

THE BAD:

Carpenter continues to struggle with the speed of the game and it was evident by his inability to get to the second level to seal a linebacker inside on a stretch play and by him getting beat on the outside speed rush.

3) Max Unger (C)

Last week C=

THE GOOD:

Max was doing well with the cut blocks and I was happy to see him fired up and mixing it up with the defenders after the play.

THE BAD:

At times he played too high and was not able to get any push because of it. On one play he was thrown down by a defender and on another he missed his block and got the quarterback hit.

4) Russell Okung and Lemuel Jeanpierre (C-)

Last week: Russell C+ and Lemuel was not graded.

THE GOOD:

Russell stone walled the defensive end one on one for over 4 seconds.

THE BAD:

Okung needs to play smarter football and avoid false start penalties but against the Steelers he got called for two. He also had trouble sealing the edge in the running game. Jeanpierre missed a block on special teams that led to the Seahawks starting a drive pinned inside the red zone.

5) John Moffitt and Robert Gallery (D+)

Last Week: John C+, Robert missed the game

THE GOOD:

John is a young player and I can see him taking small steps forward every game. These gains aren’t always going to be reflected by an increase in the grade for the week as opposed to the grade the previous week.

Robert had a one on one pass block of over 4 seconds and later had a pancake block on a passing play. He showed his awareness on a play where Unger was thrown to the ground and he hurried over and cut blocked the defender before the quarterback was hit. Cut blocks are a big part of Gallery’s game and later in the game had a nice one on a wide receiver screen.

THE BAD:

Moffitt continued to make coachable mistakes like the play where he tried to hand a defender off to Unger who was busy blocking someone and couldn’t take on the responsibility so the quarterback got hit. There was no reason for John to even attempt to hand the guy off because there was no other rusher for him to worry about. This wasn’t the only time John would end up getting his quarterback hit because later in the game he was beat to the outside and Tarvaris paid for it. He also had trouble Sealing the running lane.

After reading the good that Gallery did you would think that his grade would be higher but his lack of consistency killed him. Earlier I talked about his awareness but just after he made that nice play he missed a blitz pickup and it ended with a quarterback sack. He also got his quarterback hit a couple of times including a play where he over extended forward and the defensive tackle hit him on his back and dropped him to the ground. His run blocking left a lot to be desired as he wasn’t able to get any push on one play, basically tackled a defender and got called for holding on another and was unable to seal running lanes.

New so far this week:

Gallery hurst his groin and needs surgery. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks so my guess is we won’t see him until October 30th when the Bengals come to CenturyLink and we will see Paul McQuinstan replace him at Left Guard in the meantime allowing James Carpenter to focus on Right Tackle.

Losing Gallery weakened the depth of the offensive line so the Seahawks dropped Wide Receiver Owen Spencer from the practice squad and added Guard Brent Osborne back on.